Page 120 of The Frathole

And honestly, I don’t want him to take his cock out either.

He presses some of his weight against me, then nestles his face against my cheek, offering the gentlest of kisses.

It’s a moment that’s so perfect. A moment I want to keep him in for as long as I can before real life intrudes again. I wrap my arms around him, keeping him close. Stealing a few more seconds, but knowing this is really only the beginning of many more sweet moments with Ryan, who hasn’t just claimed my body, but my heart.

34

Ryan

Aweek aftermy thumb injury, I pull up to the driveway of my parents’ place. I asked if they could meet me at the house, though from what I gather, Mom isn’t staying there anymore.

As I park alongside the curb, Marty glances over from the passenger seat. “You sure you want me to come in with you right away?”

He’s giving me one last chance to bail.

“Why? You worried they’re not gonna like you?”

“You know damn well that’s not what I’m worried about.”

“Maybe you should start worrying.”

Marty enjoys a laugh before resting his hand on my thigh, offering a gentle rub. As the knot in my gut loosens, I rest my hand on top of his.

“How do you do that?” I ask him.

“What?”

“How does the most anxiety-prone guy in Alpha Theta Mu know how to set me right at ease?”

“Not the most anxiety-prone guy in Alpha Theta Mu anymore. I mean, not technically.”

He got me there.

“Well, I wantthisanxiety-ridden guy to come with me,” I assure him. As much as I struggled with the news of Mom seeing a guy, I know it’s time to have this conversation. “I want them tomeet you. You’re my guy now, and I’m tired of secrets. We’ve all been keeping too many of those.”

“Okay,” he says, “but should we have a code word in case things get awkward and I need to bail?”

“What kind of conversation do you think this is gonna be?”

He shrugs. “I don’t know. I haven’t met them yet.”

“It’ll be great.”

Not only because I expect my parents will be fine with me having a boyfriend, but because I know, no matter what happens in there, I have him. It reassures me that however this evening goes, things will be just fine. It’s something I’ve really let sink in since Marty bought me that silly protein bar. Since I realized this is my guy.

“How about…Xenomorph?” he asks.

“Huh?”

“For the code word in case things get awkward. It’s not likely to come up on its own.”

I chuckle. “Sure, why not?” It’s a funny word to use, but it does make what we’re about to do feel less heavy.

I brace myself, and we get out of my car, head up the drive together. He doesn’t seem to know what to do with his hands. Keeps them in his pockets one second, pulls them out the next, scratches at his shoulders. I’ve learned this is one of the ways he shows he’s uncomfortable. And I love noticing little things like that about him. Things I’ve picked up because of how much time we spend together, and I’m sure he’s noticed similar things about me. I move close, resting my hand on the small of his back, and he seems to relax.

When we reach the door, I key in the code and head inside. “Knock, knock,” I say to announce our entrance.

Some shuffling comes from the kitchen before my parents appear, greeting us in the short hall to the foyer. Their eyes goright to Marty.